OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 21 -- The Golden State Warriors beat the NBA trade deadline Thursday and dealt second-year center Marc Jackson to the Minnesota Timberwolves for veteran center Dean Garrett and a future second-round pick.
Jackson should get a chance to play, something he has done very little of this season. He demanded a trade early in the season and -- with veto power -- has continually added to his list of desirable teams.
As the deadline approached, Jackson's list grew from four teams to as many as a dozen. One was the Timberwolves, who added to their suspect frontcourt depth.
The 6-10 Jackson has averaged just 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18 games this season. He had sat out 16 straight games, including Wednesday's loss at Philadelphia, his hometown.
Jackson averaged 13.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 48 games last season and was the leading candidate for Rookie of theYear until getting hurt in February and missing the remainder of the season.
He became a restricted free agent last summer and idled on the market until Houston signed him to a six-year, $24.375 million offer sheet. The Warriors matched the offer, but Jackson asked for a trade.
Initially, Jackson said he would accept a trade to only Orlando, Indiana or Memphis. He added Phoenix to the list, but when a deal with the Suns fell through earlier this month, he blasted the team, calling it "spoiled children," and was suspended two games without pay.
Jackson should back up at the center and power forward slots. The Timberwolves have the inexperienced Rasho Nesterovic and rookie Loren Woods at center, while power forward Gary Trent is injured.
The 6-11 Garrett, 35, has not played much for Minnesota this season. He is averaging 1.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 152 minutes over 29 games. He is in the final year of a five-year, $15 million contract, giving the Warriors some flexibility under the salary cap in the offseason.
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